Infant suffering from dengue dies in CMCH

COIMBATORE: A 10-month-old male baby died due to respiratory failure at the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) here on Tuesday morning. The infant was also infected with dengue that weakened his immune system paving way for bacterial infection.
Dean of CMCH Edwin Joe said, "The baby was brought to CMCH six days ago in critical condition.He had been kept on ventilator support since admission."
The 10-month-old was being treated for fever at a private hospital before it was brought into CMCH.
Sources in the public health department confirmed that the child was tested positive for dengue virus, which weakened the immune system allowing bacteria to infect the body.
According to Edwin Joe the reason for death is disseminated intravascular coagulation - a condition in which there is multiple blood clot in blood vessels of the body.
Deputy director of health Dr P G Bhanumathy said, "This is not a case of isolated dengue. The baby has been sick for 11days, and has a history of sickness since it was born. The fact that the baby was affected with multiple sickness is the reason for his death."
Bhanumathy also said that the weak immune system was due to the big age difference between the baby and his older sibling.
"The mother is old, and there was a gap of 12 years between the first and the second child (deceased). This could be the reason for weak immune system," the doctor said. Bhanumathy said that the baby could have been saved if it was a case of isolated dengue.
The officials also pointed out that the baby could have suffered from metabolic disorders. The deceased was a resident of Nehru Nagar near Thudiyalur.
At present there are no cases of dengue in the city, officials of CMCH said.
"We have not received any case of dengue in the last five days," Bhanumathy said.